GLAAD - LGBT healthhttp://www.glaad.org/tags/lgbt-health
enSpotlighting mental health, stats, and intersecting identities this #BiHealthMonthhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/spotlighting-mental-health-stats-and-intersecting-identities-bihealthmonth
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img alt="" class="media-element file-file-styles-750px" data-file_info="%7B%22fid%22:%2277650%22,%22view_mode%22:%22file_styles_750px%22,%22fields%22:%7B%22format%22:%22file_styles_750px%22,%22field_file_image_alt_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22,%22field_file_image_title_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22%7D,%22type%22:%22media%22%7D" height="404" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/images/2015-03/BHAM%20mental%20health.jpg?itok=nzUcnxiu" style="height: 607px; width: 750px;" width="499" /></p>
<p>It's <a href="https://bihealthmonth.wordpress.com/">Bisexual Health Awareness Month</a>, brought to you by the <a href="http://www.biresource.net/">Bisexual Resource Center (BRC)</a>. GLAAD is participating in #BiHealthMonth for the second year to spread awareness about important issues in the bisexual community.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en" xml:lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BiHealthMonth?src=hash">#BiHealthMonth</a> is back &amp; this year's theme is Mental Health! Find out more about BHAM at <a href="http://t.co/tgQrTb9Fj2">http://t.co/tgQrTb9Fj2</a> <a href="http://t.co/syu3m3Hyo7">pic.twitter.com/syu3m3Hyo7</a></p>
<p>— Bi Resource Center (@BRC_Central) <a href="https://twitter.com/BRC_Central/status/569997919551672320">February 23, 2015</a></p></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><p> </p>
<p><img alt="" class="media-element file-file-styles-medium" data-file_info="%7B%22fid%22:%2277792%22,%22view_mode%22:%22file_styles_medium%22,%22fields%22:%7B%22format%22:%22file_styles_medium%22,%22field_file_image_alt_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22,%22field_file_image_title_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22%7D,%22type%22:%22media%22%7D" height="220" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/2015-03/BHAM%202015%20image%202.jpg?itok=JqjgQqyv" style="float: left;" width="220" />Each year, the BRC – the nation's oldest national bi organization - dedicates the month of March to addressing the mental and physical health difficulties that the bisexual community faces. This year's #BiHealthMonth theme is Mental Health, focusing on the emotional and mental well-being of people who are bi.</p>
<p>BRC Board President, Julia Canfield, emphasized the need for this campaign, stating:</p>
<blockquote><p>“Bisexual people have long been impacted by the negative effects of biphobia and bisexual erasure from both LGBTQ and straight communities.They have also been denied access to critical services and resources that can enhance their mental and emotional well-being. Therefore, Bisexual Health Awareness Month aims to increase awareness about these issues and feature ways we can effectively address them.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>BRC aims to integrate the roles of intersecting identities, support, and advocacy into this year's campaign by exploring a different topic each week.The first week focused on statistics – current statistics and research data about mental and physical health issues facing the bi community.<img alt="" class="media-element file-file-styles-600px" data-file_info="%7B%22fid%22:%2277655%22,%22view_mode%22:%22file_styles_600px%22,%22fields%22:%7B%22field_file_image_alt_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22,%22field_file_image_title_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22%7D,%22type%22:%22media%22%7D" height="655" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/600px/public/images/2015-03/BHAM%20-%20bi%20erasure_1.png?itok=5kzR1Y_M" style="width: 350px; height: 387px; float: right;" width="593" /></p>
<p>This week, BRC is focusing on intersectionality, exploring how factors including one's race, gender, ethnicity, class, age, ability, and other identites can influence one's emotional and mental well-being. On social media and its website, BRC provides insights and sharable graphics of statistics on substance abuse, relationship violence, poverty, and disability within the bisexual community. <a href="http://biresourcecenter.tumblr.com/">BRC has been actively updating its Tumblr page</a> with sharable information.</p>
<p><img alt="" class="media-element file-file-styles-medium" data-file_info="%7B%22fid%22:%2277654%22,%22view_mode%22:%22file_styles_medium%22,%22fields%22:%7B%22format%22:%22file_styles_medium%22,%22field_file_image_alt_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22,%22field_file_image_title_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22%7D,%22type%22:%22media%22%7D" height="171" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/2015-03/DISABLED.jpg?itok=6j_wFShm" style="float: left; width: 220px; height: 171px;" width="220" />Recently, #BiHealthMonth focused specifically on disabled members of the bisexual community, as current research illustrates the severe lack of visibility and adequate resources:</p>
<blockquote><p>"One report from New Mexico found that bisexual adults are more likely to have a disability compared to heterosexual adults, and another study discovered that 40% of bisexual men live with a disability compared to 26% of gay men and 22% of straight men."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Ultimately, the goal of Bisexual Health Awareness Month is to inform bi people and their allies, both within and outside of the LGBT community, about the everyday experiences of the bisexual community. Raising awareness is crucial for improving and expanding resources for the bi community, as well as fostering acceptance and support for bisexual people.</p>
<p><strong>How will you get involved during Bisexual Health Awareness Month?</strong></p>
<p>Learn more about the bisexual community by following the Bisexual Resource Center's twitter account, <a href="https://twitter.com/brc_central/">@BRC_Central</a>. You can contribute to the conversation all month long using #bihealthmonth and by following updates on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bisexual-Resource-Center/31231371168">Facebook</a>. Visit the <a href="https://bihealthmonth.wordpress.com/">#BiHeatlhMonth campaign site</a> for regular updates, and share informative images like the ones below:</p>
<p><img alt="" class="media-element file-file-styles-750px" data-file_info="%7B%22fid%22:%2277789%22,%22view_mode%22:%22file_styles_750px%22,%22fields%22:%7B%22format%22:%22file_styles_750px%22,%22field_file_image_alt_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22,%22field_file_image_title_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22%7D,%22type%22:%22media%22%7D" height="557" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/images/2015-03/BHAM%202015%20image%204.jpg?itok=ycDmg0g3" width="750" /></p>
<p><img alt="" class="media-element file-file-styles-750px" data-file_info="%7B%22fid%22:%2277790%22,%22view_mode%22:%22file_styles_750px%22,%22fields%22:%7B%22format%22:%22file_styles_750px%22,%22field_file_image_alt_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22,%22field_file_image_title_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22%7D,%22type%22:%22media%22%7D" height="413" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/images/2015-03/BHAM%202015%20image%201.jpg?itok=cW_j_pJ8" width="640" /></p>
<p><img alt="" class="media-element file-file-styles-750px" data-file_info="%7B%22fid%22:%2277791%22,%22view_mode%22:%22file_styles_750px%22,%22fields%22:%7B%22format%22:%22file_styles_750px%22,%22field_file_image_alt_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22,%22field_file_image_title_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22%7D,%22type%22:%22media%22%7D" height="1081" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/images/2015-03/BHAM%202015%20image%203.jpg?itok=r5wG-Q7G" width="596" /></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">March 13, 2015</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/news">News</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/bisexuality">Bisexuality</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<!--
THIS FILE IS NOT USED AND IS HERE AS A STARTING POINT FOR CUSTOMIZATION ONLY.
See http://api.drupal.org/api/function/theme_field/7 for details.
After copying this file to your theme's folder and customizing it, remove this
HTML comment.
-->
<div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/brc">BRC</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/bihealthmonth">#bihealthmonth</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/bisexuality-health-awareness-month">bisexuality health awareness month</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/bham">BHAM</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/bisexuality">Bisexuality</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/lgbt-health">LGBT health</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/mental-health">mental health</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/disabled-bisexual-resource-center">Disabled bisexual resource center</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/bisexual">bisexual</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Mon, 09 Mar 2015 16:34:33 +0000raynemcgowan77681 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/spotlighting-mental-health-stats-and-intersecting-identities-bihealthmonth#commentsHow the media is criminalizing HIV, why that's a problem, and what we can do to fix ithttp://www.glaad.org/blog/how-media-criminalizing-hiv-why-thats-problem-and-what-we-can-do-fix-it
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span id="styles-0-0" class="styles file-styles 750px"> <img src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/michael%20johnson%20from%20riverfronttimesdotcom.jpg?itok=lK_9XXwK" alt="" title="" /></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>The conversation around HIV/AIDS in America has in many ways evolved in recent decades. Though much of the general public has a greater knowledge of HIV/AIDS, the stigma surrounding it has not entirely dissipated and, arguably, exists in a higher concentration within the LGBT community than it did even twenty-five years ago. In a recent commentary called "<a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/hiv-related-stigma-rise-within-lgbt-community" target="_blank">Gay-on-Gay Shaming: The New HIV War</a>," <a href="http://www.treatmentactiongroup.org/" target="_blank">Treatment Action Group (TAG)</a> co-founder Peter Staley noted that the health issue served as a point of organization, advocacy, and unity for LGBT people in the 1980s, but that this is no longer the case. "HIV is now hidden," wrote Peter, "by...the very crowded HIV closet in which many now choose to live. The result is a vicious cycle where HIV-related stigma leads to more HIV while hiding its damage by instilling fear and shame in the newly infected." The "vicious cycle" of which he speaks is being perpetuated by news media, and the consequences are dangerous and targeted.</p>
<p>Earlier this year, a former college student from Missouri who is HIV-positive <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/rachelzarrell/hiv-positive-student-filmed-secret-sex-tapes" target="_blank">garnered widespread attention</a> in which many outlets demonized the former student when it was discovered that he did not disclose his status to partners, many of whom he allegedly filmed. He has been arrested with felony charges of exposing others to HIV and could serve a life sentence in prison if convicted. Unfortunately, the news media—within the LGBT community and at large—have used this particular individual's actions to justify salacious and vilifying coverage that perpetuate stereotypes against HIV+ and LGBT communities.</p>
<p>This story directly relates to the matter of treating people who have HIV as criminals, while overlooking many of the realities with which such people struggle, like stigma and fear. Many media outlets have effectively reinforced the very issues they fail to acknowledge.</p>
<p><a href="http://twitter.com/myfabdisease" target="_blank">Mark S. King</a> is an advocate, award-winning writer, and "<a href="http://myfabulousdisease.com/" target="_blank">My Fabulous Disease</a>" blogger. He provided GLAAD with comments about the ongoing social, cultural, and legal criminalization of people living with HIV; the media's manipulation of the case at hand; and the necessary role of education in yielding sustainable solutions.</p>
<p>"The fact that HIV positive people are criminalized for behaviors while those who don't bother learning their status are not, tells you everything you need to know about the inanity of these laws," Mark said, referring to such laws' tendencies to discourage people from learning their HIV status, for fear of being criminalized and stigmatized. He then added, "The fact that these disclosure laws apply specifically to HIV, while other infectious diseases such as Hepatitis C and HPV are also transmittable and kill more people each year, is one indication of the homophobia and racism inherent in these laws. There aren't enough jail cells in the world to hold everyone who has transmitted a harmful pathogen, nor should there be."</p>
<p>In Iowa, for instance, exposing a person to HIV was punishable as a Class B felony as recently as a few weeks ago. The term "expose" was perhaps generously applied, though; in one case, a man was sentenced to 25 years in prison because--despite using condoms, being on medication with an undetectable load, and not infecting his partner at the time--he did not disclose his status. In late February, the Iowa Senate voted unanimously to update the law such that it criminalizes intentional transmission without consent. Senator Matt McCoy said that, while the bill isn't perfect, it is an important step. "We are sending a message that we will no longer stigmatize one particular group in our state," he <a href="http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2014/02/27/iowa-senate-unanimously-approves-major-change-in-disease-transmission-law/article?nclick_check=1" target="_blank">told the Des Moines Register</a>.</p>
<p><img alt="" class="media-image media-image-right media-element file-media-large" data-file_info="%7B%22type%22:%22media%22,%22view_mode%22:%22media_large%22,%22fid%22:%2267444%22%7D" height="322" id="2" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Back%20Of%20The%20Line%20CDC%20stats.jpg?itok=rEgghZ7n" style="float: right;;;;;;;;;" width="480" />The criminalization of HIV is an issue that not only disproportionately impacts the LGBT community, but the black community as well. Black gay men in the United States are at the highest risk of contracting HIV of any people in the world, according <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/new-back-line-report-highlights-hiv-epidemic-among-black-gay-men">to a 2012 report by the BLACK AIDS Institute</a>. This report, entitled "Back of the Line," found that while HIV is twice as common among gay and bi men who are black than gay and bi men who are white, black gay and bi men are seven times more likely to have undiagnosed HIV than their white peers. Furthermore, they are less likely than white or Latino gay and bi men to live three years after developing AIDS.</p>
<p>This problem is severe and undoubtedly multifaceted, but has to do in heavy part with the stigma that exists within the African-American community—the stigma that LGBT and mainstream media perpetuate when they turn a blind eye to people of color and people who are HIV+.</p>
<p>Mark put it bluntly when he said to us, "Of course regular HIV testing and disclosure is key here. But if you don't understand why a young gay black man has difficulty disclosing his status, you're clueless as to why the epidemic is affecting young gay black men in shocking numbers. We have an environment in which those with HIV are labeled as murderers, and then wonder why they have trouble disclosing."</p>
<p>Ending stigma requires the appropriate tools. Cultural tools, like media representation and journalistic accuracy are necessary, but so are policy tools that build equity. Kenyon Farrow, US and Global Policy Director at <a href="http://www.treatmentactiongroup.org/">TAG</a>, spoke with GLAAD about the important role of accessible healthcare in the work to eradicate stigma. He said, "We can talk about stigma in the Black community or the Black church all we want--but it's not the Black community's fault for failing to expand the Affordable Care Act, which is being blocked in the states that have some of the highest HIV rates, especially in the South. Making sure treatment for people with HIV is affordable and accessible, and ensuring Black gay men who are HIV negative have access to regular healthcare wherever they live has to be a critical step in ending stigma and discrimination."</p>
<p>Without equal access to life-sustaining services, social equality cannot put down roots, and is therefore neither sustainable nor truly attainable. Influencing policy and influencing people's hearts and minds are intertwined and often symbiotic practices.</p>
<p>Too often and too easily, one can pick apart a cultural short-coming, such as the environment Mark described, without offering alternatives or solutions. But sustainable solutions exist in the form of education. Not only do the media need to be educated on the intricacies and intersections at play in the lives of people who are HIV+ (so that they can in turn educate those <em>consuming</em> said media), but people on the ground and in the LGBT community need to be educated on what it means to be HIV+. In conjunction, people who wield legislative influence (donors, voters, political officials, you name it) must understand the what resources are required for those who are HIV+ to not only survive, but thrive--physically, psychologically, and socially.</p>
<p><img alt="" class="media-image media-image-left media-element file-media-large" data-file_info="%7B%22type%22:%22media%22,%22view_mode%22:%22media_large%22,%22fid%22:%2267441%22%7D" height="223" id="2" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/mark%20s%20king.jpg?itok=Iq9ny_WF" style="float: left;;;;;;;;;" width="189" />"Too many people characterize any sexual act on the part of a person with HIV as 'malicious' or 'deadly.' While intentional harm done to another person is clearly criminal," said Mark, "most scenarios exploited in the media don't pass this threshold… It's a good thing the person who infected me 30 years ago wasn't sent to jail. He'd still be sitting there, or dead, while I'm still living a full life of good health. The references to 'murder' and 'a death sentence' are outdated and reactionary."</p>
<p>Perhaps because the state of HIV and AIDS has changed, it's become easy for many in the LGBT community to be unaware (or choose to be unaware) of who criminalization hurts the most and how. But privilege is not, nor has it ever been, an excuse, even if that privilege exists within a group that often otherwise faces discrimination from the mainstream. As Mark explained, "Those of us who are demonizing this man are playing right into the hands of conservative prosecutors who are more than happy to put some 'diseased fags' into jail. Many people with HIV already are serving 20 year sentences for daring to have sex -- and in many cases, no transmission occurred and protection (condoms, no viral load) was in play."</p>
<p>GLAAD began in the 1980s as a direct response to the dehumanizing ways in which the gay community and HIV/AIDS patients were mocked in the news. Since then, our society has made huge strides in how we represent and relate to the LGBT community in entertainment media, in journalism, and even in our legal system. Recent coverage such as the case in Missouri, though, is a glaring reminder that our work is not over. In order for a solution to take shape, changes need to be made and responsibility needs to be taken within LGBT as well as mainstream media.</p>
<p>The news of this particular young man's behavior gives rise to conversations that extend beyond status disclosure, criminalization, race, and homophobia. Mark left us with a comment on why that should not leave the public or the media wavering when it comes to choosing education over criminalization. "If we are to truly understand the complexity of, and barriers to, HIV disclosure," Mark concluded, "then we must have the fortitude to do that even in scenarios that we find morally and ethically abhorrent, and that includes horny college students with a video fixation…The compassion with which we once approached those with HIV has been replaced with furious finger pointing and a criminal mindset. I find that far more disheartening than the actions of this student."</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">March 26, 2014</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/news">News</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/people-color">People of Color</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/young-adult">Young Adult</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<!--
THIS FILE IS NOT USED AND IS HERE AS A STARTING POINT FOR CUSTOMIZATION ONLY.
See http://api.drupal.org/api/function/theme_field/7 for details.
After copying this file to your theme's folder and customizing it, remove this
HTML comment.
-->
<div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/hiv-0">HIV</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/back-line">Back of the Line</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/lgbt-health">LGBT health</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/hivaids-education">HIV/AIDS education</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/my-fabulous-disease">My Fabulous Disease</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/mark-s-king">Mark S. King</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/kenyon-farrow">Kenyon Farrow</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/peter-staley">Peter Staley</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/tag">TAG</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/treatment-action-group">Treatment Action Group</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/healthcare">healthcare</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/stigma">stigma</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Fri, 24 Jan 2014 23:09:14 +0000alexandrabolles69683 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/how-media-criminalizing-hiv-why-thats-problem-and-what-we-can-do-fix-it#commentsNew "Back of the Line" Report Highlights HIV Epidemic Among Black Gay Menhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/new-back-line-report-highlights-hiv-epidemic-among-black-gay-men
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img class="media-image" height="285" id="2" style="float: left; height: 285px; width: 425px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;;" width="425" src="http://www.glaadblog.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Back%20Of%20The%20Line.jpg?itok=9O0068xE" alt="" />Black gay men in the United States are at the highest risk of contracting HIV of any people in the world, according to a new report released by Black AIDS Institute. And with a 60 percent chance of being infected by age 40, inadequate access to health care and resources as well as a lack of institutional attention to black gay men are to blame, not risky behavior. </p>
<p>“<a href="http://www.blackaids.org/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=1284&amp;Itemid=198">Back of the Line: The State of AIDS Among Black Gay Men in America 2012</a>” was released by Black AIDS Institute, the nation’s only HIV/AIDS think tank that focuses specifically on the Black Americans, and <a href="http://www.blackaids.org/docs/back.pdf">can be read in full online</a>.</p>
<p>The report explains several ways in which black men who have sex with other men (referred to as MSM) in America are disproportionately affected by HIV and AIDS:</p>
<ul><li>Close to 1 in 4 of all new HIV infections are contracted by people in this group</li>
<li>Black MSM are seven times more likely to have undiagnosed HIV than MSM who are not black</li>
<li>HIV is twice as common among gay and bisexual men who are black than gay and bisexual men who are white</li>
<li>Black MSM are significantly less likely to live three years after developing AIDS than white or Latino MSM</li>
<li>Black MSM in mid-sized southern cities are at the greatest risk for contracting HIV as well as the ones with the least access to help</li>
</ul><p>In recent news, the AIDS epidemic has been treated as nearing an end. “Back of the Line” points out, though, that while antiretroviral treatment reduces chances of HIV transmission by 96%, “the combined effects of poverty, unemployment, lack of health coverage, racism and homophobia” still serve as “profound obstacles” for black men.</p>
<p>The report states clearly: “Black gay men’s higher risk of HIV does not stem from higher levels of risk behavior.” Along with these profound obstacles, diminished health care access and health service utilization, high background prevalence of other sexually transmitted diseases, sex, and “a syndemic among Black MSM involving…violence, homelessness, experience of childhood sexual abuse or other trauma, experience of hostile home environments and associated disruption in education, and disproportionate risk of incarceration” as key factors in the higher risk this population faces.</p>
<p>The report also states, “Federal agencies don't even track HIV resources focused on Black gay men, and state and local governments badly under-prioritize prevention and treatment services for Black gay men.”<img class="media-image" id="6" style="margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; float: right;;" src="http://www.glaadblog.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/Back%20Of%20The%20Line2_0.jpg?itok=ufCCUEn-" alt="" /></p>
<p>Phill Wilson, the president and chief executive of Black AIDS Institute, said “The AIDS Epidemic is not over in that population.” The report “highlights the gaps and why they still exist after 30 years, but it also provides a blueprint of how to close the gaps.”</p>
<p>He says that the black community is still playing catch up from the spread of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, when poverty, unemployment, and increasing use of crack cocaine were also prevalent problems.</p>
<p>“How Do We Move Forward?” the report asks in a section called “Ending AIDS Among Black MSM.” It offers up “An Action Plan to End AIDS,” including “Priority Action Steps” and specific strategies to implement them, starting on page 13. They fall under categories about “involving relevant federal agencies, Black MSM, Black an LGBT leaders, the philanthropic and private sectors, and state and local health departments” in order to “exert genuine, sustained leadership in the fight” as well as to “combat homophobia and other social challenges.”</p>
<p>“Back of the Line” is a revealing title. Systemic discrimination looks a bit different than it used to. There are no longer plaques posted for everyone to see, clearly designating which group of people has access to which facilities, or where certain people are allowed to sit on buses or in restaurants. In daily life, to the average person, inequity is less in-your-face, perhaps even easy to ignore. It is still, however, nonetheless real. It tangibly affects life chances and opportunities of entire peoples. Based on the findings of this study, poor access to health care and a lack of attention and funding towards HIV prevention and treatment continue to keep certain peoples, particularly black gay men, perpetually at the “Back of the Line.”</p>
<p>The report and its findings have been covered by <a href="http://www.medicaldaily.com/news/20120718/10937/black-gay-men-hiv-aids-crisis.htm">Medical Daily</a>, <a href="http://www.isciencetimes.com/articles/3462/20120719/gay-bisexual-black-men-highest-risk-hiv.htm">International Science Times</a>, <a href="http://ca.news.yahoo.com/report-finds-black-gay-males-us-worst-hit-161752246.html">AFP via Yahoo</a>, <a href="http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/19/gay-bisexual-black-men-at-high-risk-for-hiv/">CNN’s blog The Chart</a>, <a href="http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1112659448/gay-african-american-men-affected-by-aids-more-than-any-population-in-the-world/">Red Orbit</a>, <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jul/18/black-gay-men-first-line-need-aids-treatment/">The Washington Times</a>, <a href="http://www.christianpost.com/news/black-gay-men-most-affected-by-hiv-aids-churches-called-on-to-do-more-78540/">Christian Post</a>, <a href="http://www.towleroad.com/2012/07/report-black-gay-men-in-us-at-greater-risk-of-hiv-infection-than-entire-world.html">Towleroad</a>, <a href="http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/07/18/us-report-hiv-rates-particularly-high-in-gay-black-men/">Pink News</a>, <a href="http://www.metroweekly.com/news/?ak=7577">Metro Weekly</a>, and <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2012/07/19/546491/us-black-gay-men-face-highest-risk-of-hivaids-in-the-world/">Think Progress</a>.</p>
<p>GLAAD urges the media to continue bringing light not only to the epidemic and those it most affects, but to the solutions outlined in “Back of the Line,” in order to, as Wilson says, “move those most at risk up to the front.”</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">July 19, 2012</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/news">News</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/people-color">People of Color</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<!--
THIS FILE IS NOT USED AND IS HERE AS A STARTING POINT FOR CUSTOMIZATION ONLY.
See http://api.drupal.org/api/function/theme_field/7 for details.
After copying this file to your theme's folder and customizing it, remove this
HTML comment.
-->
<div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/lgbt-health">LGBT health</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/hiv-0">HIV</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/aids">AIDS</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/black-institute-aids">Black Institute of AIDS</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/back-line">Back of the Line</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/phill-wilson">Phill Wilson</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Thu, 19 Jul 2012 17:37:39 +0000alexandrabolles58641 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/new-back-line-report-highlights-hiv-epidemic-among-black-gay-men#comments